2024 Week 3 Newsletter - Term 3

WEEKLY FOCUS - An invitation to celebrate Catholic Education Week with us.

From the Principal - Our 2024 Nominees

Dear families

Happy Catholic Education Week!

We have a wonderful week planned to celebrate all that is great about Catholic Education.  It is an opportunity to reflect upon the virtues that are at the core of all we do: Faith, Hope and Love.  These Christian virtues are modelled in the words and actions of Jesus Christ and should be at the heart of all we do together.  

Each year we are encouraged to nominate people from within our school community who exemplify these virtues in action.  I am excited to introduce you to our nominees for this year who we will say a special thank you to at our mass on Friday.  What a great community we belong to at Star of the Sea!

2024 Spirit of Catholic Education Nominees

Amanda Sydes has been a part of the Star of the Sea community since 2013.  She has humbly and faithfully served our school family as both a parent and staff member.  In her much-loved role as our Prep Teacher Assistant, she shows genuine care and dedication, helping to provide a safe, supportive and encouraging environment for all students to learn.  She has also actively involved herself in the wider school community, volunteering and supporting wherever she can.  Amanda’s inclusiveness to all members of the community, no matter who they are is very much appreciated and her humour and willingness to offer practical help are a great gift to our school. She gently lives her faith through action and genuine dialogue, showing a lived example of our school virtues of courage, service, respect and dedication, and her sincerity, cheerfulness and kindness are an inspiration to us all.

From the moment Bianca Vea Vea joined the Star of the Sea community as a parent she has passionately worked to support our school and help it flourish, volunteering across all aspects of school life and recently taking on a role in our school Tuckshop.  She shows deep respect and support for the prayerful and liturgical life of the school and is an active witness to the values at the core of Catholic education. Most significantly, Bianca is a living example of unconditional love and is valued by staff, parents and children alike for being someone who will accept them as they are, listen with a non-judgmental ear and do all she can to help in times of need.  She exudes a spirit of joy and humility to all she meets and she never ceases to notice those who most need her care and support.  

Mark and Leanne Frost have been parents at Star of the Sea since their first child started school, but Mark’s connection with the school goes back much further with his attendance as a student, along with generations of family members.  Mark and Leanne’s love of Star of the Sea and the value they place in Catholic Education is evident in many ways.  They are faithful participants in the prayer and liturgical life of the school, and they strongly witness to the Christian values of love, service, respect and generosity.  Mark and Leanne show an obvious love for each other and their children and their strong belief in the preciousness of family has been an inspiration to many. 

They also have a deep love of Star of the Sea and are active volunteers, helping in the classroom, at school events and excursions.  Both Mark and Leanne have been active members of the Parents and Friends group for many years, taking on a number of Leadership roles and helping to support and nourish the future leaders amongst our parents.  They are always there supporting our Mother’s and Father’s Day Stalls, Shrove Tuesday Cook Ups, School Socials and Caulfield fundraiser as well as many other School Events.  Mark and Leanne are passionate about providing an exceptional learning environment for all students, as well as building a community that works together and encourages each other. All their efforts are about helping our students, their families and the staff that work with them and we are grateful for the hard work, commitment and blessing they are to us all.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

God bless you.

Jennett Mullane
Principal
jennett_omullane@rok.catholic.edu.au

From Our APRE

Welcome to Catholic Education Week

Catholic Education Week is celebrated annually in Week 3 of Term 3 and gives us an opportunity to join with Catholic schools all over Queensland to celebrate the unique community we have within our Catholic School. 

We are a community of Faith, Hope and Love.  Our Catholic Schools have a distinct mission and ethos.

Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School has a rich history and one that we are very proud of.  Our school takes its name from Our Blessed Mother, Mary, and has a distinctive Marian character.

Our two founding religious orders, who both look to Mary as their inspiration and guide, give us practical examples of how to use Mary as our guide to authentic Christian lives. The Mercy Sisters see Mary as the Mother of Mercy, seeking to bring God’s loving care and mercy to everyone, especially those who suffer the most. Marists try to act as Mary did, quietly undertaking great things for God, becoming useful instruments in God’s hands, seeking to humbly be of service wherever they are needed most.

Just as Mary did, all members of the Star of the Sea community seek to make Jesus known through the example of our lives, demonstrating excellence in the way we show our core school virtues of courage, respect, determination and service.

Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of those in our school and in the wider community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society.  ©Catholic Education Week website.

Happy Catholic Education Week everyone.

Gods blessings,

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

2024 Catholic Education Week Kindness Project

In 2023 our Year 3 class, with the help of Mrs Churchill, reached out to Simberi Primary School.  Mr Rodda, who works in Simberi organised a collection of leftover and unused materials to be delivered to the school.  They were extremely grateful and continue to pray for our school knowing that we helped them with something they needed.

This year we would like to reach out and assist Simberi again.  They are in constant need of supplies.  Our Kindness Project for 2024 will assist Simberi Primary School.

Mr Rodda will co-ordinate the collection and delivery of all supplies for the school.

If you are able to assist, please deliver items to school.  We will continue to collect the stationery items until our School Feast Day in Week 10.

Simberi are in need of the following items.

• Backpacks
• Kmart teach the time clocks
• Exercise books
• Coloured A4 Paper
• Loose Paper
• Coloured A4 Cardboard
• Lined paper
• Paint brushes/paint pots
• Calculators
• Watercolour paints
• Tissues
• Chalk – teachers only have chalk boards
• Reading books P – 10
• Activity Books for a range of years P-7

From the APC

Our Star of the Sea Rugby League and Netball teams participated in the annual Rockhampton Diocese Catholic school’s competition called Challenge Cup at St Brendan’s Yeppoon. It was another amazing carnival, congratulations to all our students who competed.

Our Rugby League players were: Harley K, Oliver M, Cody C, Harrison C, Mason Mc, Logan S, Leo M, Hudson L, Hudson S, Oliver S, Cooper B, Harrison G, Hamish Mc, Hayden Mc and Kurt T.

Each one of our players were challenged to perform their best and they did.  They had to work as a team and dig deep during the tough games, they showed good sportsmanship and their parents, and I were very proud of each one of them.  They finished third in their pool.  They won their semi-final and played St Anthony’s Rockhampton in the PLATE final.   Although our team lost their last game, they played right to the end regardless of the score.   The boys were exhausted and a little bruised but proud of their achievements.

Our Netballers were: Matilda C, Kirra H, Indie H, Mackenzie J, Amaya K, Tahlia M, Hannah N, Janelle R, Mi-Kayla T and  Amarni T.

What a fantastic 3 days of Netball at Challenge Cup we all had!  The girls were all amazing and most importantly put in an amazing show of sportsmanship.  They improved every day and there were so many magic moments of teamwork.

Our goal, from the very beginning was Fun, Friendship and Fitness, improving on what we know each day and they really delivered. After each game, I had so many comments from umpires and coaches that the team was so positive and respectful. Great feedback!

Day one:

Game one: St Josephs Mackay Won 12-8

Game Two: St Anthony’s Lost 20-1

Game 3: St Mary’s Mackay   Lost 23-3

Day two:

Game one: St Joseph’s Wandal Won 11-6

Game two: St Therese’s Monto Won 12-4

Game three : St Mary’s Bundaberg Won 13-7

Day 3 FINALS: Semi Final Bowl

St Francis Xavier Mackay : Loss

Final against St Mary’s Rockhampton Loss by a very narrow lead.

With 32 teams in the carnival, we played at the top of our pool, challenging all other competitors in the fourth position.  We placed overall in 16th position out of 32 teams.  A great achievement for a group that are new to Netball. 

Such a memorable and rewarding experience.  Best and Fairest medals were awarded to Mason Mc and Janelle R.  Coaches’ medals were awarded to Harley K and Indie H.

A special thank you to Katy Gowers, Lauren Maydom and Matt Slow for supporting our teams in the lead up and throughout the carnival.

Anthony King and Melissa McBride.

Have a good week everyone. 

Anthony King

Assistant to the Principal Curriculum

Anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

Celebrating Catholic Education Week and the Feast of Joachim and St Anne

On Friday morning - July 26th, there will be a special celebration for Grandparents at Star of the Sea School.

The celebration will begin with Mass @ 9am.

More details to follow.

Everyone is welcome.

So that we have some idea for catering we ask that you please email and let us know if you will be attending the morning tea on this day.

kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

In Our Prayers

Date Claimers

WEEK 3

FREE DRESS DAY – Students are invited to come dressed in sun safe free dress clothes on Wednesday 24^th July.  A gold coin donation is required and will support our Story Dogs Reading Program.

Everyone is invited to join us for our Catholic Education Week Whole School Mass on Friday 26^th July at 9.00am in the Star of the Sea Church.  This Mass will also be a special celebration for our Grandparents.

WEEK 4

Year 3A invite you to their assembly presentation on Friday 2^nd August at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.

Year 5 invite you to their assembly presentation on Thursday 25^th July at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area. (Please note that this has changed from original date).

WEEK 5

Year 3 invite you to their Liturgy on Tuesday 6^th August at 9.30am in the Star of the Sea Church.   

Year 4A invite you to their assembly presentation on Friday 9^th August at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.

WEEK 6

GLADSTONE SHOW HOLIDAY – Monday 12^th August.

Year 4B invite you to their assembly presentation on Friday 16^th August at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.

WEEK 7

BOOK WEEK

Everyone is invited to attend our Book Character Parade on Friday 23^rd  August at 8:35am in the Covered Courts Area.

WEEK 8

Year 3B invite you to their assembly presentation on Thursday 29^th August at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.

PUPIL FREE DAY – FRIDAY 30^th AUGUST.

WEEK 9

Year 2 invite you to their Liturgy on Tuesday 3^rd September at 9.30am in the Star of the Sea Church.   

Year 6B invite you to their assembly presentation on Friday 6^th September at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.

WEEK 10

SCHOOL FEAST DAY – Thursday 12^th September.

Everyone is invited to attend our Feast Day Mass on Thursday 12^TH September at 9am in the Star of the Sea Church. 

Year 6A invite you to their assembly presentation on Friday 13^th September at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area

Position Vacant - Parish Administration Officer

Our parish is seeking to employ a
Parish Administration Officer
and is calling for applications.
 
The role is part-time (20 hours a week) and provides assistance to the Parish Priest in the administrative tasks of the parish.
 

Principal duties include:
•    Provide general secretarial/administrative assistance to the Parish Priest
•    Produce the weekly parish bulletin 
•    Maintain administrative documentation and filing systems 
•    Print liturgical texts and other requirements for liturgies
•    Maintain rosters for Sunday Mass
•    Monitor and order stock for office & church 
•    Maintain copyright log for hymns each week
•    Maintain parish sacrament registers
•    Prepare paperwork and make appointments for baptisms, marriages, and funerals
•    Other general reception duties as required.

The position involves sharing of some duties with another staff member. The position would be suitable for someone who can provide a warm and welcoming presence to parishioners and others who attend the parish office, is proficient with Microsoft Office software, and is well-organised and attentive to detail.

A familiarity with the elements of parish life and practice will be a significant advantage.

The successful applicant will be provided with in-house training and a hand-over period during which s/he will work with existing staff.

A copy of the full position description and instructions for applying can be obtained by contacting the parish office (sosgladstone@rok.catholic.net.au or 49721025).

Applications should be submitted no later than 26th July 2024.

Caulfield Sponsorship Opportunities

The annual Star of the Sea Caulfield event is on again on 19 October 2024! 

This event involves transforming our school into an amazing venue that hosts over 250 people to enjoy an afternoon of fun whilst raising funds for our school. These funds have continued to help the P and F Association to develop a supportive and caring learning environment for our school and have contributed to the building of play equipment and learning areas, classroom resources and travel bursaries.  

If you or your business is interested in sponsoring the event this year, there are a number of sponsorship and advertising opportunities available. Our Platinum and Gold Sponsors also receive exclusive access to Early Bird Tickets. Please contact SOSCaulfield@outlook.com to request a sponsorship prospectus. 

Have you downloaded our new App yet?

We already have way over half our parent community who've downloaded our new mobile App.  

The App, Parent Orbit, which is connected to Parent Lounge, will improve our communication with each other as it offers a quick and easy way to receive notifications, add Student Absences, view and pay School Fees, accept or decline excursions via the Events and Activities, check the school calendar, update details and permissions and much more.

Some of you may already be using the Parent Orbit App for Chanel College and you will simply add Star of the Sea as another school you can access.

The App uses your Parent Lounge log in to access and will be a great way to access Parent Lounge features as you will not have to log in every time.

To download the App to your mobile device you can click on the link https://parentorbit.page.link/sosg  or visit your APP store.

Most of our Term Dates for the rest of the year are already installed on the App so it really is a good resource for you.

2025 Prep Enrolments

Community Notices

2024 School Priorities

Wearitto Uniform Shop Trading Hours

Student Absentee Line

If your child is not attending school, you can call us, 24/7, to leave a message to report the absence. The  phone number is 4994 8301.  

This designated phone line gives you the opportunity to call the school at a time that is convenient to you.

As always, absences can be reported using Parent Lounge or by emailing your child’s classroom teacher  and                                                                                                                SOSG_Absentee@rok.catholic.edu.au).

St Joseph's Cathedral Appeal

Caulfield 2023 Sponsors